Of Eleusinian Ceres, and with boughs
Of Oak were overshadowed in the feast
The teeming basket and the mystic vase.”—Tighe.
A Roman who saved the life of another was adjudged a crown of Oak-leaves: thus Lucan writes:—
“Straight Lælius from amidst the rest stood forth—
An old centurion, of distinguished worth;
The Oaken wreath his hardy temples wore,
Mark of a citizen preserved he bore.”
This civic crown of Oak conferred many notable tokens of honour upon its possessor, who was exempted from all civil burdens, and enjoyed many rights. At Roman weddings, boughs of Oak were carried during the ceremonies as emblems of fecundity.
“With boughs of Oak was graced the nuptial train;